Who doesn’t love roasting marshmallows over a bonfire on a summer night?

The Family Handyman magazine offers instructions on its website for making a simple fire ring out of retaining-wall blocks, surrounded by a seating area paved in flagstones.

One caution, though: Before you start, check your community’s regulations. It may restrict outdoor burning or regulate the size of a fire ring.

The project should take about a weekend and cost more than $500 to complete. The most expensive part is the flagstones, so if you just want a fire ring but don’t need a paved area around it, your cost will be significantly lower.